Anaesthetic Considerations in a Patient with Deep Vein Thrombosis on Warfarin for Emergency Surgery - A Case Report

Abstract

Anaesthesiologists very often face the challenging task of providing anaesthesia to patients on oral anticoagulant therapy, for elective and emergency surgeries. Rapid reversal of anticoagulation for emergency surgery can be achieved by replacement of coagulation factors with fresh frozen plasma or prothrombin complex concentrate and simultaneous administration of vitamin K for sustained reversal. The present case report of a 26 year female, on warfarin for thromboprophylaxis, scheduled for laparotomy, is followed by a brief discussion on anticoagulation reversal and anaesthesia.

Keywords

• Warfarin reversal
• Emergency surgery
• DVT